Nicholls delighted at renewed link with owner Jared Sullivan

PA Sport Reporters
July 23, 2020 7:45 pm

Laurina one of the horses switching to Ditcheat.

A number of high-class horses owned by Jared Sullivan will be trained by Paul Nicholls this season.

They include Grade One-winning mare Laurina and last year’s Arkle Trophy winner Duc Des Genievres, both formerly trained by Willie Mullins.

It is a return to Ditcheat for the Sullivan colours, whose big winners in the care of Nicholls have included Silviniaco Conti and Zarkandar.

Nicholls told his Betfair blog: “I think we have as strong a team of horses as we have ever had. The two main yards are full, all the stars from last season are back and I am thrilled to welcome back Jared Sullivan who has sent us a nice cross section of a dozen or so horses who were previously trained by Willie Mullins.

“I trained loads of top winners for Jared in the past including Zarkandar, Sanctuaire and Silviniaco Conti and it is great to have his support again now that he has decided to have all his horses trained in the UK.

Laurina is a high-class recruit for Paul Nicholls (Julian Herbert/PA)

“His team includes the top class Laurina, who recently had a wind op, Reel Steel, who ran so well In the Gold Cup, Stormy Island, a really good filly, Dolcita who was second in the mares’ race at the Festival this year, Eglantine Du Seuil, who won it the previous year, and the 2019 Arkle winner Duc Des Genievres.

“Jared has also sent us some really interesting maiden hurdlers, while another new arrival from Ireland is Malcolm Denmark’s Next Destination, a talented horse who has had one or two issues and will be going novice chasing if all goes well.”

Nicholls also had news on some of his established stable stars, adding: “Topofthegame is back in work and is being aimed at the Ladbrokes Trophy, the two-mile champion chaser Politologue is in good order and Clan Des Obeaux is likely to go for the Betfair Chase at Haydock before defending his crown in the King George VI Chase.

“Cyrname, who looks fantastic, is likely to head for the Grade One three-mile Chase at Down Royal which should truly tell us if he stays three miles.”